“It looks like Facebook is finally taking search more seriously. The company is reportedly working overtime on improving its own search feature …”

“Last week, the Federal Trade Commission released its final report on privacy. Jules Polonetsky, the Director and Co-Chair of the Future of Privacy Forum explained that, while the FTC did ask Congress to pass privacy legislation, it placed a greater emphasis on finding industry best practices for self-regulation.“

Again – no news!

Be careful about believing what you think you read online. It’s likely not the facts you think you’re reading. Watch the wording.

Now, sometimes – especially in email – outright lies are passed around. We all know this. And, in an election year, these emails will increase.

Please don’t simply accept the truth of every email sent to you – and shoot it out to everyone you know – just because it’s something you want to believe. You can make serious mistakes (and look ridiculous) that way. Check it out!

jl scott, ph.d., Director
Chamber of Commerce – on the Web™

“Where Did All the Ezines Go?”

I’m really worried about all the online business owners who have stopped sending newsletters, then complain about their business going to pot. They can’t sell anything if they don’t have contact with potential customers.

I’ve made a concerted attempt to subscribe to all Chamber of Commerce – on the Web™ members’ publications. I may have missed a few, but I’ve been surprised at the outcome.

Too many don’t publish at all. Others only send out ads, without even a greeting from the sender – much less an article! WOW– I wonder who is reading those?

With all the fast-paced selling over the past years online, I came to a point of feeling like we all needed a break. During 2011, I called a moratorium on selling products – except for Chamber memberships.

No – I lied. I did ask for contributions to help me get “Just Sayin’ …” launched. But, that was it. And, yes, my bottom line suffered. Yet, with the economy so unstable, it saved me a lot of worry about what was happening.

What I did not do was lose contact with my lists. Our lists are our potential buyers. I only stopped hitting them over the head to buy stuff for a year.

But, I digress. The point is, online businesses can not survive without direct contact with potential customers. So, if you have an online business, it would be to your benefit to start communicating – or, go back to communicating, as the case may be.

“People don’t realize all of the benefits that are built into their policy,” says Robert Passmore, assistant vice president of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, an industry trade group. But if you read your policy closely, he says, you might be surprised at what’s covered.Full Story

Ads Annoy, Bog Down Websites

When you visit a website, you often find yourself waiting and waiting for advertisements to load. Video starts playing automatically, and animated ads jump in front of what you were there to see. The seconds tick by.Full Story

Supporting eCommerce

Chamber of Commerce – on the Web™ is not a tax exempt organization, therefore, owes no allegiance to any government lobbyists - nor do we contribute money to political parties.

Our only allegiance is to those politicians who fully support legislation that enhances online business as well as worldwide cooperation.

The Chamber will never fail to actively encourage members to lobby, from the grass roots level - on relevant legislation in all member countries – to advance and protect the pursuit of online business.

Public Service

Online Report Information

Links to necessary contact information for anyone who uses the World Wide Web and wishes to file a report regarding unethical online behavior - as well as links to find important information.